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(No Model.) 4 SheetsSheet 1.

- G. STOKES.

PRINTING FABRICS.

No. 590,245. Patented Sept. 21,1897.

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(No Model.)

G. STOKES.

PRINTING FABRICS.

No. 590,245. Patented Sept. 21, 1 897.

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Patented Sept. 21, 1897.

INVENTOR WITNESSES: dh/J ATTORNEYS.

4 SheetsSheet 4Q (No Model.)

G.STOKES. PRINTING FABRICS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE STOKES, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND GEORGE F. TOLLEY, OF SAME PLACE, AND JAMES MAGEE II, OF

BLOOMSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

PRINTING FABRICS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No; 590,245, dated September 21, 1897.

Application filed September 14, 1894. Serial No. 522,960. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, GEORGE STOKES, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain 5 new and useful Improvements in Preparing Yarns for Veaving Colored Fabrics, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention comprises an improved meth- IO d and apparatus for preparing warp-yarns for colored or pattern fabrics, more especially for tapestry and Brussels carpet, velvet, and round wire. By the method of manufacturing such carpets which has long been prac- I ticed and still prevails in this and other countries the warp-yarns are printed before weaving by successive operations, involving several machines or kinds of apparatus and n1 uch time and laborthat is to .say, the printing 2c is doneby means of a revolving drum whereon yarn ends to the number required for a complete pattern are wound and the several colors of the pattern then applied in due order or succession by means of suitable mechanism 2 5 including traveling color-carriers which operate intermittently as the drum is intermittently revolved and apply different colors in stripes across the entire width of the yarns spread upon thedrum. lVhen the whole of the yarn wound upon the drum has been printed, it is removed bodily in order that more may be similarly wound on it and printed in like manner, it being understood that each yarn end is thus printed in a variety of colors.

3 5 The printing operation is repeated as many times as there are yarn ends or warp-threads in the completed fabric. After all the sets of yarns have been thus printed they are placed together in a steam-chest and stretched upon frames and steamed to fasten the color and then washed and dried. The next step is setting the yarns according to the colors to form the desired pattern in the fabric to be woven. For this purpose the yarns are wound upon 5 a large number of bobbins which are placed and held in a frame called a creel, and from them the yarns are drawn off, the object being to produce a rough formation of the pattern by a proper arrangement of the variouscolors. By manipulation of the series of yarn ends, using the lines previously drawn upon a setting-board as a pattern, an elongated representation of the pattern is ultimately produced. For this purpose the creels are made to advance and recede as the yarns are operated upon. hen a length of about twelve feet of all the yarn ends has been properly set, they are fixed in clasps or clamps until such portion can be wound on a beam. The same operation is repeated until the whole length of yarn has been duly set and transferred to the beam, when it is ready for the weaver.

By my invention the aforesaid drum and other accessory printing apparatus, also the setting apparatus and all the labor incident to the two operations, are dispensed with, and the yarns are printed in the required pattern and steamed, washed, dried, and finally beamed ready for the loom by one continuous operation. Thus a great economy is effected in time, labor, and machinery or apparatus.

I will proceed to describe the steps of my process and the construction and operation of the apparatus by which it is carried out.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 isa sectional diagrammatic elevation showing the course of the warp through the printing devices. Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1 showing the course of-the warp ,after it leaves the printing device and as it passes through the steam box and bath to the warp-beam. Fig. 3 is a plan of a section of fabric printed by my improved method and apparatus. Fig. 4: is a longitudinal section on the line 4 4 of Fig; 5 and shows in detail the printing and guiding mechanism. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the said printing and guiding mechanism. Fig. 6 is aside elevation of the printing apparatus- Fig. 7 is a broken sectional elevation on the line 7 7 of Fig. 8 of one of the printing cylinders or drums. Fig. 5 g

8 is a plan view of one of the said cylinders or drums. Fig. J is a broken longitudinal section on the line 9 9 of Fig.8 and shows the manner in which the type-blocks are held in the grooves of the printing-cylinders. Figs. 10o

10 to 16 are details of several forms of type- I and keys may be adjusted or removed with blocks and keys used to fasten the type-blocks to the prii'iting-cylinders. Fig. 17 is a detail plan View of one of the guides for the warp and yarn ends, and Fig. 18 is a cross-section on the line 18 18 of Fig. 17.

The general arrangement of the apparatus can be understood by reference to Figs. 1 and 2, and, as here shown, the yarn or warp 10 passes through a series of printing devices 11, which print the several colors on thewarp, and from these devices the warp passes over rollers 12, arranged to give it a tortuous course through the steam-box 13, which may be heated in any usual Way, and from this the warp passes over the rollers let through a bath in the tank-15, thence out over a guide-roller 16 and heating cylinder 17, which dries it, and it is then wound on the beam 18. It will thus be seen that the warp may be fed continuously through the apparatus and is at one operation printed, steamed, washed, dried,

and beamed. V

The printing device comprises a series of printing-drums 19, turning-in color-boxes 20,

which are supported on the frame 21, in which i Each drum 19 is provided on its face and,

around its entire periphery with parallel longitudinal grooves 28, (see Figs. 7 to 9,) and type-blocks 29 are carried on the face of the drum, which blocks are provided with shanks 30, adapted to fit snuglyin the grooves of the drum, and the blocks are prevented from shifting laterally by means of keys 31, which may be of any suitable length and which fit in the grooves 28, the height of the keys being preferably such as to bring their outer faces flush with the face of the drum. The keys are of various lengths, as shown in Figs. 14 to 16, so that they may be fitted between the several type-blocks and thoroughly brace the latter. Thus it will be seen the parallelsided keys also fit in the corresponding grooves and are held by friction, and being made of different lengths one of them may be changed or substituted for another as required by the changes made in the positions of the type-blocks to form different patterns to be printed. The ends of the keys being in close contact with the shanks of the typeblocks they not only resist lateral movement of the latter, but also aid in holding them from radial displacement, yet the type-blocks little difficulty.

The blocks 29 are made of any desired shape, but are preferably rectangular on their faces, and they are made wider or narrower according as a greater or less length of warp is to be colored by the block. The blocks 29 of the first drum are arranged so as to dip into the first box 20 and apply a certain color to a portion of the several warp-yarns at proper intervals. The next drum has its type-blocks arranged to apply another color at other points of the warp. The third drum has its type-blocks arranged to apply still another color at other parts of the warp, and it will be seen at once that any necessary number of drums may be used, according to the diflier ent colors to be employed and designs to be made.

The type-blocks are arranged with reference to the warp, so that when the latter is woven the several colors will appear in their respective places and to the required extent to produce a desired design. This arrange ment of the type-blocks and its effect may be best understood by reference to Figs. 3 and 4. The colors of the first printing-drum will by its type-blocks have been transmitted to the I warp, so as to produce the colored checks 33 in the carpet 32. The next drum will have had its type-blocks arrangedso that its colors will show in the checks 34 of the carpet. The next printing-drum will have had its typeblocks arranged to produce the colored checks 35 and the last printing-drum will have had its type-blocks arranged to produce the colored checks 36, thus completing the design, and from the above description it will be read ily understood that the type-blocks may be arranged to produce any desired design and that the design maybe printed in any necessary colors. It will also be seen that by striking with a suitable instrument on the ends of the keys 31 the type-blocks may be shifted readily, so as to be brought to the desired position, or they may be driven out of the grooves 28 which hold them.

The warp is guided to the several drums by means of revoluble guides placed near the drums and on opposite sides thereof, each guide comprising a roller 37, which is carried by ashaft 3S, journaled in the frame 21, and the drum has at its ends flanges 39, in which are slots or grooves 40, (see Fig. 17,) adapted to receive the guide-combs 41, which extend longitudinally on the drum and which have teeth 42 to separate and guide the warpyarns. The guides turn loosely in their bearings and the several combs of each guide come successively into contact with the warpyarns, and thus keepthem at all times in proper position. After the warp is printed,

as specified, it passes into the steam-box 13 and over the rollers 12 therein, and from here it passes into the tank 15 and is washed, and then passes out over the roller 16 and cylinder ICC.)

17 to thewarp-beam 18, on which it is wound in the usual way.

I have not shown the construction of the steaming and washing apparatus in detail, as the construction of this apparatus may be varied and the warp may be washed by means of jet-pipes, if preferred, instead of in a bath. Neither have 1 shown the construction of the drying-cylinder 17, as any ordinary cylinder which is capable of bein g heated may be used for this purpose.

From the foregoing description and inspection of the drawings it will be apparent that the yarns are subjected to a color-printing action or pattern imprint while held spaced and separate and that they are brought in contact with the printing media at one point only of the cylindrical surfaces and are carried practically free, from one set of such media to another. In other words, they are at no point allowed to rest on any extended portion of a rotary drum or roller nor dragged through or over fixed guide-surfaces, and hence there is no smearing, blending, or removal of the colors.

The different color-patterns are printed on the yarns by a series of sets of practically independent mechanisms, each of which is so constructed that the yarns have only rolling contact with them and touch them at but a single point as they respectively travel and rotate. The result is that the color-patterns remain on the yarns precisely as imprinted or impressed thereon and are fixed and rendered brilliant by subjection to the action of superheated steam, and the yarns are then washed and dried all by practically one operation.

It is obvious the method and apparatus might be also applied to printing pattern fabrics.

lVhat I claim is .1. The herein-described method of preparing yarns for weaving color-pattern fabrics, which consists in subjecting the yarns, while held separated, to the action of a printing medium, then directing the printed yarns, while still held separated, from said printing medium to another of like nature-the yarns being thus carried through space, as distinguished from passing them over a guide-surfacethen subjecting the separated yarns to the action .of steam, and finally washing, and drying them, substantially as set forth.

2. The improved apparatus by which yarns are completely prepared for weaving into color-pattern fabrics, which consists of a series of sets of printing mechanisms between which the yarns pass free, each such mechanism comprising a rotatable pattern-transfer drum or roller and one or more guides or separators, which latter are placed adjacent to such drum a dry-steam box, a bath and a drier through which the yarns successively pass after leaving the last of the printing mechanisms, as shown and described.

3. An improved apparatus for preparing yarns for weaving into color-pattern fabrics, the same comprising a series of sets of printing mechanisms with which the yarns contact only at a point of imprint or impression, a

steanvbox, a bath and a drier, the yarns passing successively from one to the other, whereby difterent portions receive different imprints,which are then fixed,washed and dried, as set forth.

4. The improved apparatus for printing warp-yarns for fabrics, the same consisting of a series of independent sets of mechanisms through which the yarns successively pass and from which they successively receive different color-imprints on diiferent portions, each mechanism consisting of a rotatable type-bearing drum, 11, a rotatable bearingroller, 22, for pressing the yarns upon the drum as they pass between them, a colorholding box arranged beneath the drum, and one or more rotatable yarn spacing and guiding rollers, havinga series of combs or toothed guides, and arranged parallel to the colorprinting drum and in the desired relation to the portion of the latter with which the yarns pass in contact, as shown and described.

5. In an apparatus for printing yarns for fabrics, the combination, with a series of printing drums, or rollers, of rotatable yarnguides arranged intermediately of the latter and having a series of peripheral teeth between Which the yarns are held spaced, the same being thus adapted to support the yarns without contact with any extended surface and to guide them from one drum to another, as shown and described.

GEORGE STOKES.

Witnesses:

R. L. ORANGE, S. F. PEAOOCK. 

